Graduate Program: Cancer Biology

Historically, researchers involved in cancer biology research have focused on a particular field in biology or medicine relating to alterations in fundamental biological processes that result in malignancy, progression to fatal metastatic disease, or success or failure of therapy. 

However, continued advances in cancer diagnosis and treatment will require scientists who have a greater specialization in the biology of cancer while, at the same time, exposure to a host of disciplines, ranging from biochemistry to cell biology and immunology, and to state-of-the-art cell biology and molecular biology methods.

Program Objectives 

The Cancer Biology Graduate Program at the Wayne State University School of Medicine and the Karmanos Cancer Institute is dedicated to providing an outstanding training experience in the rapidly evolving field of cancer research. Our philosophy behind the Ph.D. training program in Cancer Biology is 

  • Train the next generation of cancer researchers with a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary graduate curriculum with a major focus on the biology of cancer
  • Give opportunities to regularly interact with clinicians engaged in cancer diagnosis and treatment. 
Our goal is to develop scientists with capacities for critical scientific thinking needed to conduct original research as an independent cancer investigator. 

The Ph.D. program consists of:

  • Formal course work which provides a comprehensive education in the basic concepts
  • Solid training in the core disciplines that serve contemporary cancer research. 

Graduates gain a broad understanding of the fundamental principles that underlie this diverse and dynamic field with in-depth knowledge in their dissertation discipline. An integral part of the training experience involves opportunities to develop written and oral communication skills essential to future success as a cancer researcher. 

To complete the Ph.D., students must successfully defend the dissertation research and complete a publishable research project under the guidance of a faculty mentor.

For more information on Wayne State University School of Medicine’s Cancer Biology Graduate Program please click here

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